Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the best way to get a measurement for a snake. I measure 3 times with a string (or rope depending on size) and take the average. I was just wondering if anybody else had another way. And can you get a somewhat accurate from a shed? I know that the reason the shed is because they outgrew it, but can you go by it?
Thanks for your help.
-----
www.rainforest-boas.com

I can normaly get a pretty accurate measurement by using the string method, and it heilps if you have someone to assist you.
It depends how precise you need to be. I personally don't care if my boas are six feet or six feet two and three quarter inches. I find that using shed skin is very inaccurate because the skin stretches during the shedding process so don't use that method if you really need to be accurate. Hope this helps.
Joel

Sheds don't work as the stretch, sometimes more than others.

Best, most accurate method I've found is a program found HERE called snakemeasurer.exe You will need an overhead pic with a known length object for refference. Then define that known object and draw a line point by point down the spine of your snake and the program will tell you how long that point by point line is.
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

A cloth tape measure like a tailor uses works great for me most of the time. : ) Occasionally a boa will object, in that case I just measure them another time.
-----
Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com
http://slitheringserpents.com